Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief

Lord Singh of Wimbledon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Beliefin July resulted in any consensus of action to address the root causes of discrimination against and persecution of those holding different faiths and beliefs.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Conference explored the many facets of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) through seventeen themed panel sessions and gave a platform to those persecuted for their religion or belief. Forty-seven governments, international organisations and other entities made pledges to take action in support of FoRB. Thirty-four countries joined the UK in signing up to one or more of a set of non-legally binding statements protecting and promoting FoRB for all. The statements and co-signatories are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/international-ministerial-Conference-on-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-2022-Conference-statements

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Elections

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had within the Peace Implementation Council of the Dayton Peace Agreement regarding (1) election law reform, and (2) forthcoming elections, inBosnia and Herzegovina; and to what extent any such discussions have noted the importance of maintaining the ability for full electoral participation by ethnic minorities within the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK strongly supports the High Representative and the use of his executive powers should the situation require it. Officials have made this clear in meetings of the Steering Board of Ambassadors of the Peace Implementation Council. The measures he imposed on 27 July are a valuable step towards increasing the integrity and transparency of the 2 October elections. He has also called on Bosnia and Herzegovina's political party leaders to develop domestic solutions to the significant functionality problems. We encourage leaders to engage constructively to find solutions.